Conductors
John Wilcox
Young Peoples Orchestra Conductor
John Wilcox teaches Violin and Viola at Youngstown State University and is director of the Dana Symphony, Chamber, and Opera Orchestras. In addition to his teaching duties, he performs as Concertmaster of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra and as violinist with the Amici Trio. He was Concertmaster of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra for seven years. Mr. Wilcox joined Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras in the fall of 2006 as conductor of the Young Peoples Orchestra. He remains active as an adjudicator and private instructor.Joining the YSU faculty in 1979, Mr. Wilcox brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He had studied with Richard Burgin, former Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony, and Ruth Posselt, internationally known violinist. After earning his Bachelor's degree in music from Florida State University, he secured a position as first violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of both Antal Dorati and Mstilav Rostropovich. Throughout his six year tenure he performed with many of the world’s top artists and conductors. Mr. Wilcox received his Master of Music degree from Kent State University while on the faculty at YSU.
Charlotta Ross
Symphonette Conductor
Charlotta Ross received her bachelors degree as string specialist from Michigan State University and a masters degree as cellist from Carnegie Mellon University. She was a member of the North Carolina Symphony and Dallas Symphony before joining the Pittsburgh Symphony in 1968. Mrs. Ross has played with the program "Music in Maine," a Title 3 government project which enabled school age children to hear two performances a year by a string quartet. For many years, she was a member of the Pittsburgh Quartet. As only the third conductor of the Symphonette, she continues her husband's (Paul J. Ross) outstanding musical legacy.
Coaches
Jeremy Black
1st Violin Coach
Jeremy Black has been a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's first violin section since 2002, and enjoys performing not only at concert halls around the world but also with his colleagues in Pittsburgh area hospitals and schools. In the summer months, he performs as Concertmaster of the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago, a position he has held since 2005. He began his orchestral career in 2000 as a first violinist in the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago and a frequent substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. An avid fan of chamber music, he has served as Concertmaster of the University of Pittsburgh's Music on the Edge Chamber Orchestra since 2002, and has performed in recital throughout the Pittsburgh region, including Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities, Chatham College, West Liberty State College, and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Dennis O'Boyle
2nd Violin Coach
Dennis O'Boyle joined the second violin section of the Pittsburgh Symphony in the fall of 2000 under Music Director Mariss Jansons, and attained the position of Fourth Chair in 2003. Before arriving in Pittsburgh, Mr. O'Boyle spent three years in Florida as a fellow in Miami Beach's New World Symphony and subsequently Principal Second Violin of the Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay. Mr. O'Boyle holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, as a student of Oswald Lehnert. He earned his Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Ik Hwan Bae. He lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife, Anna Wukich, and their son, Henry, born in June 2006.
Marylène Gingras-Roy
Viola Coach
Marylène Gingras-Roy joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Viola Section with the beginning of the 1997-98 season. Previously she was Principal Viola with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Principal Viola with the Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey. She recently earned her Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music. Ms. Gingras-Roy is the past recipient of both the Canada and Quebec Arts Councils' scholarship awards, as well as being presented first prize for both viola and chamber music by the Quebec conservatory. She has performed at many festivals, including the Festival dei Due Mondi and The Solti Project at Carnegie Hall.
David Premo
Cello Coach
David Premo joined the Pittsburgh Symphony in 1992 and now serves as Assistant Principal. Mr. Premo has been Artist-Lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University since 1994. He came to Pittsburgh from Washington, D.C., where he was Assistant Principal Cellist of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra from 1980 until 1991. Since coming to Pittsburgh, Mr. Premo has appeared frequently as a chamber musician and soloist on Shadyside and Rodef Shalom concert series. In 1996 Mr. Premo won the prestigious Passamaneck Award entitling him to a solo recital which he gave in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Hall in April 1997. His cello, made in approximately 1860 is by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.
Donald Evans Jr.
Bass Coach
Donald Evans joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1990 and is currently the associate principal bass. Previously, he had been a member of the Alabama Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic. He attended Duquesne University where he studied with Robert Leininger. He has also studied with Joseph Wallace and Sam Hollingsworth. A Pittsburgh native, Mr. Evans was also a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony from 1976-77 and the Three Rivers Training Orchestra in 1975.
Bernard Goldberg
Woodwind Coach
Bernard Goldberg recently retired as principal flute of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Recognized as one of the nation's leading flutists, Mr. Goldberg has made frequent solo appearances with the PSO, and has appeared as soloist at leading music festivals and in recitals. He studied with Georges Barrere at Juilliard, Lucien Lavillotte of the Paris Opera and Marcel Moyse at Marlboro, and coached privately with Pablo Casals. Before joining the Pittsburgh Symphony, Mr. Goldberg was principal flute with the Cleveland Orchestra. Mr. Goldberg co-founded and conducted the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras. He also conducted the chamber music division of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. He is on the faculties of Brooklyn College and Catholic University. In 1984, he was nominated for Man of the Year in Music by the Pittsburgh Vectors.
James Nova
Brass Coach
James Nova joined the Pittsburgh Symphony as second/utility trombone in 2009. Previous positions include assistant principal/second trombone of the Utah Symphony, second trombonist of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Orange County, California, principal of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, principal of the Vermont Symphony, and assistant principal of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He attended the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree before moving on the New England Conservatory of Music for his Master’s Degree. Mr. Nova continues to play with the Boston Pops as his schedule allows and is currently on faculty at Duquesne University.
Paul Evans
Percussion Coach
Paul Evans holds a Bachelors degree from Duquesne University and a Masters degree from Temple University in percussion performance. Mr. Evans has studied with many of the finest percussionists in the country, including Pittsburgh Symphony members Don Liuzzi and John Soroka, as well as Philadelphia Orchestra member Alan Able. Mr. Evans appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra. A veteran of many summer music festivals, Mr. Evans has toured the world with several orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony. Currently, he is a member of the River City Brass Band and on the faculties at Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham College.